Design World

Designing a home

Key points

• A good home design considers all aspects of the site and building – orientation, site features, thermal performance, floor plan, materials, finishes, technologies, appliances, and landscape.
• Using a qualified designer is typically well worth the investment. Attention to good design ensures better quality outcomes and a smoother construction process. A designer with knowledge and experience in designing homes for sustainability can also help to ensure your home will be comfortable and energy efficient throughout its lifespan.
• You can use either an architect or a building designer to design your home. You can choose someone with their own practice, or your builder may have a designer on staff.
• Your chosen designer should work with you to develop a design that suits both your lifestyle and your budget. Make sure the sustainability features that you want are kept in mind throughout the design development.
• The designer should also be able to help you with the planning and construction approvals required before you start construction.
  
  
  

Understanding designing a home

Designing a home usually involves working with an architect or designer to plan a new home, including:

• developing a floor plan that shows room locations and layouts
• incorporating sustainable design principles (for example, good orientation, design for climate) and features (for example, advanced glazing, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems)
• deciding on construction systems, materials and finishes
• choosing inclusions such as appliances
• designing landscaping.

Before starting on your design, you should complete your preliminary research and know your budget. You can then follow this step-by-step guide to develop and finalise your design.

You can also use this design process to plan renovations or additions.

Step by step

Step 1: Choosing your designer

Choosing the right designer is an important step. Designers offer a range of services from concept design through to detailed design and project management. They can also coordinate a team of specialist consultants (for example, geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, accredited energy assessor, sustainability consultant, interior designer, and landscape designer).

Architect or building designer

Designers fit into one of 2 main categories: architect, or building designer. Both are accredited and regulated and either can design your home. An architect may be able to deliver more individually crafted and challenging designs than a building designer, but may also be expensive. However, the skill and cost level really depends on the individual architect or designer.

Architects are state-registered and regulated, and the legislation governing them varies from state to state. To gain registration under the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia, a person must hold a recognised degree in architecture or demonstrate equivalent qualifications, undertake a period of experiential training, and pass a practice examination. To remain registered, most states require architects to hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance and undertake regular continuing professional development.

Regulation and registration of building designers also varies between states. Building designers are registered by the state in Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria. They are moving toward national accreditation in other states and territories through the Building Designers Association of Australia. New South Wales and South Australian members are accredited through an internal process. Registered or accredited building designers in all states are required to carry professional indemnity insurance, and undertake and report continuing professional development to remain accredited. The range of services offered by building designers varies significantly. Many hold architecture or other specialist design degrees; others are qualified drafting professionals who have established their own practices.